NEW YORK (AFP) - The Milwaukee Bucks dealt former first round pick Yi Jianlian of China to the New Jersey Nets just hours before the 2008 National Basketball Association entry draft.

The deal also includes the Nets getting Bobby Simmons while Richard Jefferson goes the other way.

"We feel that Yi can be a very special player," Nets president Rod Thorn said. "He is a 20-year-old seven footer who shoots the ball extremely well, and he is an excellent addition to our frontcourt."

Playing in a major North American market is something the giant Chinese forward Yi had hoped for when he announced his intentions to join the NBA. New York has one of the largest Chinese populations of any city in North America and Yi would certainly boost their fan base.

The Bucks drafted Yi sixth overall in the NBA entry draft last year.

The 20-year-old Yi has been compared to Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki. As a rookie he averaged 8.6 points and 5.2 rebounds last season.

The prize for Milwaukke would be getting Jefferson, who averaged a career-high 22.6 points last season.

"Richard Jefferson is a hard-working, proven, dynamic performer at the forward position," Bucks general manager John Hammond. "He's an aggressive player with terrific credentials over his career.

"He's been a winner, having gone to the playoffs in six of his seven seasons, and we're excited to bring him to Milwaukee."

Jefferson, 28, gives new coach Scott Skiles a veteran presence and a slasher to go along with sharpshooter Michael Redd, who also has been on the trading block.

Selected 13th overall in 2001, Jefferson helped the Nets reach a pair of NBA Finals. He has career averages of 17.4 points, 5.4 assists and 3.0 assists in 489 games.